Ever feel like everyone else is getting a massive raise while you’re just... staying put? You’re not alone. When we talk about average personal income in the us, we’re usually stepping into a minefield of "well, actuallys."
Most of the time, the numbers you see on the news don't feel like real life. If Jeff Bezos walks into a bar with 40 people, the average person in that bar is a billionaire. But that doesn't mean anyone else can suddenly afford a private jet. Honestly, the data is a bit messy.
The Reality of Average Personal Income in the US
The first thing to understand is that "average" is a loaded word. Economists usually look at two different things: the mean and the median.
As of late 2025, the average personal income in the us—the mean—is significantly higher than the median because the top 1% of earners pull the average way up. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Census Bureau, if you look at full-time workers in the third quarter of 2025, the median weekly earnings sat at $1,214.
If you do the math, that’s about $63,128 a year.
But wait. That’s just for full-time salary folks. If you include everyone—the gig workers, the part-timers, the retired person with a little dividend income—the number drops. The Census Bureau’s most recent comprehensive deep dive (the 2025 Annual Social and Economic Supplement) showed that the median income for all people with earnings was closer to $51,370.
Why your age changes everything
You can't compare a 22-year-old barista to a 50-year-old project manager. It’s just not fair.
Income usually peaks when people hit their 40s and early 50s. That’s when you’ve finally got the "senior" in your job title and maybe a bit of leverage.
- 16 to 24 years old: Usually around $32,000 to $41,000. Most are just starting or working part-time.
- 25 to 34 years old: This is the big jump. Median is roughly $59,800.
- 35 to 44 years old: The sweet spot. Median climbs to $72,020.
- 45 to 54 years old: The peak. Around $71,600, though some data suggests it stretches higher for men in this bracket.
It starts to dip after 55. Some people scale back; others take early retirement. By the time you’re 65, the median is back down to around $62,000.
Geography: The "Location Tax"
Where you live is arguably more important than what you do. $70,000 in Jackson, Mississippi, makes you feel like royalty. In San Francisco? You’re probably looking for a roommate.
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The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported that in 2025, personal income rose in every single state, but the gap between the "haves" and "have-nots" is widening.
Massachusetts and Washington D.C. are basically in a different league. In D.C., the median weekly wage is over $2,200. Meanwhile, Mississippi is still hovering around $960 per week. That’s a massive gulf.
The 2025 growth leaders
Surprisingly, Kansas led the pack in income growth recently, posting a 10.4% annualized increase. It wasn't just luck; it was a surge in the labor market and earnings. On the flip side, states like Arkansas and Mississippi saw much slower growth, barely hitting 1% in some quarters.
The Education Gap (It’s still there)
People love to say college is a scam.
The data says otherwise.
If you have a Bachelor’s degree, you’re looking at median weekly earnings of about $1,603 in 2025. If you only have a high school diploma? That drops to $953. We’re talking about a $33,000 difference over a year. That’s a whole car. Or a very large chunk of a mortgage.
Those with advanced degrees—Masters, PhDs, MDs—are in the six-figure club, with median earnings often exceeding $101,972.
The Gender and Race Nuance
We have to talk about the gaps. They’re still real, even in 2026.
Women currently earn about 80.7% of what men earn. In Q3 2025, the median for men was $1,333 per week, while women were at $1,076.
And race plays a huge role too. Asian workers consistently see the highest median earnings—around $1,620 per week—while Hispanic and Black workers often see medians below the $1,000 mark.
Is the "Average" Person Getting Ahead?
This is the trillion-dollar question.
While the average personal income in the us is going up in "current dollars" (the number on your paycheck), "real income" (what that money actually buys) is a different story.
In 2024 and 2025, we saw wages rise by about 4.2% to 4.8%. But the Consumer Price Index (CPI)—the cost of your eggs, gas, and rent—rose too. Most years, the "real" increase is only about 1% or 2%. Some years, like 2024, it was essentially flat. You got a raise, but the grocery store took it.
What most people get wrong about "Personal Income"
Personal income isn't just your salary. The BEA defines it as:
- Wages and salaries (The obvious stuff).
- Dividends and interest (If you're lucky enough to have stocks).
- Rental income (If you’re a landlord).
- Transfer receipts (Social Security, unemployment, etc.).
When the government says "personal income is up," it might just mean Social Security checks got a cost-of-living adjustment, not that businesses are suddenly paying everyone more.
Practical Steps: How to Beat the Average
If you’re looking at these numbers and feeling behind, don't panic. These are midpoints. Half the country is below that $63k mark. But if you want to move the needle, the data suggests a few specific levers.
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Audit your geography. If you’re in a low-growth state like Arkansas, your ceiling is naturally lower. Remote work has changed the game, but "local" pay scales still haunt many industries.
Upskill, but specifically.
The 2025 data shows that "some college" doesn't provide the same boost as a finished degree. If you’re 10 credits away, finish. If you’re in a service job, the median is only $897 a week. Moving into a "professional or management" role jumps that median to over $1,900 for men and $1,400 for women.
Negotiate based on the "Real" numbers. Don't just ask for a 3% raise. If the BLS says your industry grew by 5% and inflation was 3%, asking for 3% is actually asking for a pay cut in terms of purchasing power.
Diversify beyond the paycheck. Since "personal income" includes assets, the people beating the average are usually the ones with "property income" (dividends and interest). Even small, consistent contributions to a 401k or IRA move you from a "wage earner" to an "owner."
The average personal income in the us is a moving target. It’s influenced by where you live, what you studied, and how old you are. But more than anything, it's a reminder that the "middle" is a very wide place.
Next Steps for You
- Check the BLS "Occupational Outlook Handbook" to see if your specific job title is trending above or below the national median of $1,214 per week.
- Calculate your "Real Wage" growth. Subtract the current inflation rate (roughly 2.9% in late 2025) from your last raise percentage. If the result is negative, it's time to negotiate.
- Review your state's growth rate. Use the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) interactive maps to see if your local economy is booming (like Kansas) or stagnating, and adjust your career strategy accordingly.